Subscribe to stock alerts

Berry Brothers (a UK wine merchant established in 1698) have tributed the Blue Hanger series to one of their early customers, so called because of the shade of clothes he wore as a young man. Willam 'Blue' Hanger, aka 'Lord Coleraine', was a loyal regular of Berrys at the end of the 18th century, and reputedly one of the best dressed men of his day.

According to www.dramaticwhisky.me, "...the Blue Hanger releases originally came to the diplomatic market in 1932 but had faded into history, until being revived in 2003 by Doug McIvor, [Master of Cask Selection at Berry's]. The first release was a sublime marriage of Glenlivet and Glen Grant casks which produced just 723 bottles from a total of 4 hogsheads. Unsurprisingly, it sold out almost immediately upon its release as has been the fate of every subsequent release in the Blue Hanger range. Creation of a new addition only takes place when Doug feels they have secured the right casks in the best condition and can create a complimentary expression addition to the range".

Bottled in 2012, the 6th release is composed of a Sherry butt of Glenrothes 1990, a Sherry Butt of Bunnahabhain 1990, a Hogshead of Bowmore 1980 and a Hogshead of Bowmore 1987. Only 2223 bottles produced. Non Chill Filtered.

Tasting note Deep gold / brass appearance. First pass reveals nutty, vanillin notes. Develops intensity and complexity as a fruity dimension emerges from the peppery background. Unripe pear? Cumquot? Now more like spicy raisins. A hint of peat adds to the allure. A soft entry leads into a medium bodied profile that slowly builds in concentration with fruit cake like notes and lively spices. Outstanding depth and poise. Concludes dry with the vanillin malt and Christmas mince pie flavours persisting. A robust, bracing dram. 45.6% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Over the years Blue Hanger has built a reputation for fine quality, and each creation can be viewed as something of a master class in whisky making. But this release takes an unexpected turn for the better, surpassing even our highest expectations by offering an extra peaty, rustic dimension to a perfect mix of orange and berry fruits, cocoa, vanilla, and spice. With John Glaser still setting the pace for blended malts with the most recent versions of Flaming Heart and Spice Tree, and this release raising the bar still further, this category is on fire...

If you want proof that blended malts can be world class, you’ll find it in any bottle of Blue Hanger. Lovingly created by Berry Bros. whisky maker Doug McIvor, every release has been exceptional. Even by the series’ own high standards, this sixth release surpasses itself. The nose is fresh, clean, and citrusy, with wafts of sherry. But there are smoky hints, too. And it’s that peaty, earthy note on the palate that gives this release a new dimension, enriching the fruity Speyside sweetness at the whisky’s core. The age and quality of the malt asserts itself throughout. This really is stunning stuff.

Terms & Conditions | Privacy All prices are stated in Australian dollars. Please note! Your browser must have cookies and javascript enabled to use our shopping basket technology effectively. Where a wine is marked SOLD OUT, this indicates that the wine is no longer available for sale. The tasting notes are still able to be viewed for historical purposes.